Paula Havixbeck would work with contractors and city staff to remove windrows from back lanes in Winnipeg if elected.

The mayoral candidate on Friday said she believes it’s one of the issues on minds of voters.

“The people of Winnipeg have had problems with windrows in back lanes for our immortal winters and I have been more aware of them and the effect since I was a councillor,” she said. “They are dangerous, rock-hard, and they trap people inside their homes as they cannot get their cars out to go to work.”

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck would work with Winnipeg’s business community to grow commerce in the city if elected.

For starters, Havixbeck said on Thursday she has a plan to fast track the permits process for downtown development.

“I have a plan to help increase business in our city, to make business easier to conduct, and to help Winnipeg become a business magnet,” Havixbeck said.

The Charleswood — Tuxedo councillor would also reduce the business tax, provide incentives for women business owners, and encourage aboriginal business owners working in partnership with councils by offering incubator grants.

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck says Winnipeg’s social issues can be addressed by introducing social impact bonds.

By involving council, other levels of government, the private sector and non-profit sector, Havixbeck says poverty, homelessness, and housing can receive a greater focus and increased chance of resolution.

“This is a new tool that other countries have had tremendous success with. Why not start in Canada right here in Winnipeg and be first?,” Havixbeck said.

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck has been snubbed from a debate being held by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) over her support for audits into the land dealings at city hall.

“This is a real shame. This city deserves open and transparent discussions that will lead to an open and transparent government, not beholden to special interest groups,” Havixbeck said in a statement.

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck would cut down on Winnipeg’s phosphorus levels, saying the city is one of the biggest culprits.

As part of her environmental plan, the Charleswood — Tuxedo councillor would see the North End water treatment facility is completed. She says without it, thousands of tonnes of phosphorus continue to be leaked into Lake Winnipeg — about 414 tonnes every year.

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck wants to see the former Civic Centre parkade turned into housing.

The downtown Winnipeg parking complex has been sitting vacant for two years after being deemed structurally unsound.

The Charleswood — Tuxedo city councillor said on Monday she would turn to the private sector to help redevelop the crumbling Public Safety Building next door. The Winnipeg Police Service will soon be moving to their new headquarters at 266 Graham Avenue, leaving the PSB vacant.

“Since the WPS now will have this level of safety in their new building on Graham, this building is no longer required to be safeguarded to this level. The cost without decanting the Winnipeg Police Service is much lower so let’s get this work done before the entire area looks like a ghost town,” Havixbeck said.

Mayoral hopeful Paula Havixbeck is sounding the alarm on having top union officials on the city’s payroll.

The Charleswood — Tuxedo councillor says having representatives from unions paid by the city goes above and beyond salary they already collect from union dues.

“This is a real disgrace. Classically, unions pay their officials with money from union coffers, which are gathered through union dues,” Havixbeck said. “I would have never imagined our city was paying over a half a million dollars every year for city staff to essentially negotiate with the city. This arrangement does not pass the transparency test for the citizens of Winnipeg.”

“They openly endorsed Judy when she was sitting as a provincial NDP cabinet minister,” Havixbeck said. “I prefer to stay away from aligning my interests with those of special interest groups, as many of them expect special treatment down the line.”

Havixbeck said she supports the UFFW, but prefers to work with groups in an open and transparent way.

Mayoral candidate Paula Havixbeck believes mobile photo radar is nothing but a cash grab and does little to improve safety on the roads.

The Charleswood — Tuxedo councillor on Tuesday said, if elected, she would work with Winnipeg police, the police board and Manitoba Public Insurance to come up with better solutions, such as involving more traffic-enforcement officers and/or using stationary cameras.

“These vehicles are frequently improperly parked and it doesn’t appear to be about safety anymore when MPI reports show fatalities due to speeding are going down,” Havixbeck said.